Page 97 of Unraveled
My entire face is warm enough to cook an egg, but at least the suspicion in his eyes eases.
“What happened in Hedrum?” Nera leans her stone chin on the heel of her hand, blinking lazily as she studies me, tapping her nails on her cheek. They’re much longer than they were before we left the castle. Back when she’d been fine.
“I told you, we found some of the lost grimoires and decided to bring them along...” Ash pauses to clear his throat, then asksme, “Where’s your amulet? We need to leave within the next half hour.”
Instinctively, I touch my hair, but the amulet isn’t there. It’s in my cloak pocket, waiting for the right moment to strike.
“It’s still not working right, so I see no point in wearing it anymore.” It’s not a lie, but my voice quakes, giving away my unease. I hope Ash thinks it’s all about Nera and not because I’m planning on doing something reckless.
“You should probably still wear it, Mia,” Nera says, sobering up just enough for worry to etch her features. I think she’s started caring for me, just like I do for her.
I glance down to where the small hand mirror remains hidden under my clothes. I can do this.
She continues, “Magical artifacts weaken sometimes, but unless it’s shattered, it’ll help you when it matters.”
Yes, it will.
Which is why I need to get Ash away from here. “I found traces of magic around the carriage when I was outside. I tried to break them apart, but couldn’t. I wonder if that’s why Nera and the horses transitioned so quickly...” I set up the lie, and the words are bitter on my tongue.
As predicted, Ash goes still, his hand hovering motionlessly over his food. His brows pinch as he leans forward. “You saw spells over the carriage—could you tell what kind?”
“I don’t know. It’s probably nothing, and I know you and Finley throw protective magic on all sorts of things, so maybe it’s that?” I shrug and grab a butter roll for my plate, glancing at Nera from under my lashes.
She sits unmoving in her chair. Her breaths shallow enough that, if I look away for even a moment, I’ll miss the subtle movement of her chest. Her eyes are unfocused.
It would be much easier if I didn’t have to do this alone. I want Ash to stay, but I know deep inside that if he knows what I’m about to do, he’ll stop me.
Ash seems to hesitate for a second, then he stands fluidly, pushing his chair back. “Nera, are you well enough to stay here alone with Mia?”
Nera blinks a few times and tears shimmer in her eyes. When she meets my gaze, I notice her irises are back to the usual shades of rose gold. Her lips tilt into a weak smile. “Don’t worry, brother, I won’t eat her. She is yours, after all.”
I open my lips to protest that I’m not his, but the words don’t come as easily as they once did.
Ash glances at me, lifting a brow, as if expecting my usual retort. But... while I don’t believe in the kind of ownership the fae seem to throw around when speaking about people, I’m not so sure my heart belongs to me anymore.
A breath escapes his lips, and his voice is warm with affection when he says, “Even as a statue, you’re the most mischievous creature I’ve ever met, Nerala.”
Rounding the table, Ash approaches me with that ease in his steps I’ve grown to admire, then reaches for my waist to pull me close. His lips brush my forehead. “Don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone.”
My eyelids flutter shut, and I tighten the mirror against my body, hoping he can’t feel its shape hiding beneath my cloak. He knows me well enough to suspect I’m up to something, but he can’t stop his compulsion to go and check we aren’t being tracked.
“I’ll try my best,” I say and push down the guilt churning inside me.
Nera remains seated in silence, and I wait until his steps fade into the distance. “I know how I can break your curse.”
Nera straightens where she sits, and the wooden chair squeaks at her movement. Her brows pinch and loosen as she takes me in. “Let me guess, you’re going to do something that could get you killed. Is that why you sent Ash away?”
I hold her gaze as I reach for his abandoned drink and take a sip of the unsweetened tea, hoping the warmth will chase away the cold that’s settled into my bones.
“Yes.” I shrug. “I don’t want him to stop me before I can at least try. It’ll be your birthday present.”
Nera watches me in silence for a while and smiles again, so her response surprises me. “No.”
I blink. “No?”
“When I took you to Eponde, I was being selfish, and I didn’t know you. But that’s not the case anymore. I can’t let you risk your life to help me, because you mean something to me now.” The gem of my old amulet blinks along with the rhythm of her heart. Too slow for someone who is alive and well.
Neither Ash nor Nera want me to try to help them with my magic because I mean something to them. Unlike Irene, who demanded I use my magic even though Ash could have killed me that night.
